England And Australia Suffer Edgbaston Wash Out

England's ambitions of topping the ICC One-Day International rankings were put on hold as persistent bad weather caused the third match against Australia to be abandoned at Edgbaston.

A 28 overs per side game was scheduled to get underway at 1800 local time before the rain returned again and with damp patches, particularly in the bowlers' delivery stride areas, still causing concern, the match officials were left with little option.

England, who won the opening games at Lord's and The Kia Oval by 15 runs and six wickets respectively, would have needed to win this match, and the remaining two to reach the top of the rankings.

They are, at least, guaranteed nothing worse than a shared series.

The fourth match is scheduled to be played in Chester-le-Street on Saturday, 7th July.